With disappointment and relief, I wish to inform the Lighthouse audience that our coverage of the 2010-11 season was our last. Many factors contributed to this decision. Suffice it to say, it regrettably did not work.

After three grueling days of competition, heart attack moments, setbacks, incredible determination, and persistence in spite of the ever present obstacles, two Hofstra Pride wrestlers emerged from the cheers and hollers of Philadelphia with All-American honors in the 2011 championships.

Lou Riggirello vs Futrell

PHILADELPHIA – After three grueling days of competition, heart attack moments, setbacks, incredible determination, and persistence in spite of the ever present obstacles, two Hofstra Pride wrestlers emerged from the cheers and hollers of Philadelphia with All-American honors in the 2011 championships. Senior Lou Ruggirello captured a 7th place finish at the 133lbs weight class, and junior PJ Gillespie returned with an 8th place finish at 165lbs.

After bouncing between 2 and 4 in the standings, the Cornell Big Red emerged the team leader after the quarterfinal round. Only a half a point separates them from their Eastern Rival, Penn State. The top three team leaders are Cornell with 61, Penn State with 60.5, and Iowa with 51.5 points.

PHILADELPHIA – By Bill Miller and Pete Candito, After bouncing between 2 and 4 in the standings, the Cornell Big Red emerged the team leader after the quarterfinal round. Only a half a point separates them from their Eastern Rival, Penn State. The top three team leaders are Cornell with 61, Penn State with 60.5, and Iowa with 51.5 points.

The Wrestling Witch of the East showed up in the form of Penn State blue and Cornell red and worked its magic as the 2 eastern teams moved ahead of Iowa. One of these teams could be making a bid to be the first eastern team to win a national wrestling title since Penn State in 1953.

The Wrestling Witch of the East showed up in the form of Penn State blue and Cornell red and worked its magic as the 2 eastern teams moved ahead of Iowa. One of these teams could be making a bid to be the first eastern team to win a national wrestling title since Penn State in 1953.

A year later, a year stronger, and determined to exorcise the curse from their wrestling souls, the Pride reclaimed the CAA title ripping away the title from the Binghamton Bearcats, the team who terminated their championship streak in 2010 at 9 straight, and qualified 7 athletes for the championships in Philadelphia PA.

In the 2010 championships in Omaha Nebraska, the Hofstra Pride wrestling team sent two grapplers to compete for All-American titles. Their stranglehold on the CAA conference title was smashed when their top athletes fell to season ending injuries. Unlike season’s past when the Pride would wrestle deep and return with hardware, they exited the tournament on the first day after having compiled a 1 and 4 record.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Wrestling fans gathered this morning at the Wells Fargo Arena and devoted there attention to the mosaic of red, black, blue, and gold as battle hardened grapplers took their turn upon the stage. The first round had its share of heartbreaks and exhilaration, and while some of our favorites fell, others unexpectedly triumphed.

On Tuesday evening I had the opportunity to visit and speak with the 2011 CAA Conference champions about reclaiming the CAA title, their season, and their hopes for the big dance in Philly next week. With midterms and other responsibilities not all of the wrestlers were available, yet I was able to speak with CAA runner-ups Steven Bonanno and PJ Gillespie; Champions Ben Clymer and Paul Snyder; and Assistant Coach and now head coach Rob Anspach. Given the time when I was available and the juggling act we all do with, Tom Shifflet was unable to make it, but I have posted an interview that Tom did with Scott Casber of TDR.

Upon the end of every season, it greets with sweet sorrow as the seniors we’ve come to warmly embrace and hold dear will adorn the Pride singlet for the very last time. I believe I can speak for every Pride fan when I say that you made us all proud to say that we are Hofstra Pride Wrestling fans. There were so many memorable moments. Lou Ruggirello, you will always be remembered as the lean, mean pinning machine. You could feel the uneasiness in every top wrestler who entered the circle with you in the Mack Center. Ryan Patrovich, your gutsy hard-nosed style delivered intensity and excitement in every bout. Thanks for the fond memories, and we’re all in your corner next week in Philly.

It is sad to learn of Coach Tom Shifflet’s parting upon the end of the season. Shifflet’s first season with the Pride was the most exciting ever in Pride history. To witness the Pride defeat a number of top 10 ranked dual meet teams and finally place 7th at NCAA was amazing. Who would have thought it was possible to take on the nation’s best and reign victorious.

But what impressed me most was his perseverance after a difficult season in 2009-10 when the Pride’s stranglehold on the CAA conference was broken. He didn’t let on to how disappointed he was, but instead went straight to the business of reclaiming the title. And you did it in spite of all the challenges that could have derailed the goal again. Congratulations coach. You’re a champion and leader in my eyes. And I’m sure I can say on behalf of all the fans that you will be missed, and we wish you and your family tremendous happiness and success in your new journey. Thank you for the memories, your dedication, and commitment to excellence.

Here are the interviews. Enjoy. I have some casual conversation with the wrestlers where they talk about their college wresting experiences. I will be posting shortly, so come back.

Tom Shifflet

LEWISBURG, Pa. — When the dust settled at Sojka Pavilion on the campus of Bucknell University, the 107th EIWA Championships provided a fair share of upsets, dominating performances, and all around great matchups. While the nation’s best team proved why they are the best, a handful of teams left Lewisburg, Pa., with plenty to cheer about. Here’s a look at how the top five teams finished up: Continue reading “EIWA Tourney Recap”

Before an enthusiastic crowd at Stony Brook University Arena on the evening of February 14th, CJ Labate of Commack stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight to declare his presence to the New York wrestling community.

by Nancy Triosi

Before an enthusiastic crowd at Stony Brook University Arena on the evening of February 14th, CJ Labate of Commack stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight to declare his presence to the New York wrestling community. On his journey to this auspicious moment, CJ slayed five of six challengers by pin fall and wrestled a total of 22.5 minutes out of a maximum 36.

Lighthouse Wrestling will cover the 2 day event beginning on Friday, February 25. We will deliver day one coverage all day via live blog. Day two coverage will be live audio for semifinals, live video for finals and live blog for wrestlebacks. Visit http://live.lighthousewrestling.com for coverage.

While a 40-9 win over Harvard may seem like just another day at work for Cornell, the season-ending dual victory marked the ninth-straight year in which the Big Red claim the Ivy League crown.

While a 40-9 win over Harvard may seem like just another day at work for Cornell, the season-ending dual victory marked the ninth-straight year in which the Big Red claim the Ivy League crown.

Harvard’s heavy hitters got their licks in with Stephen Keith (125) and Walter Peppelman (157) scoring wins in individual bouts, but outside of those two matches, Cornell was in total control. Mike Grey (133), Justin Kerber (165), Mack Lewnes (174), and Cam Simaz (197) all claimed pins as the Big Red finished the dual meet portion of their schedule with a 13-1 record.

It all came down to bonus points Wednesday night in New Brunswick in a conference against two of the EIWA’s top programs in Rutgers and American. Both the Scarlet Knights and the Eagles claimed five bouts apiece, but in the end a major decision from Alex Caruso (174) and a pin from Dan Rinaldi (184) gave Rutgers the 19-15 victory.

It all came down to bonus points Wednesday night in New Brunswick in a conference against two of the EIWA’s top programs in Rutgers and American. Both the Scarlet Knights and the Eagles claimed five bouts apiece, but in the end a major decision from Alex Caruso (174) and a pin from Dan Rinaldi (184) gave Rutgers the 19-15 victory.

Since John Glenn exploded into dominance in 2009, capturing their first of two consecutive Section XI team titles, and now set their sights on the coveted hat-trick, Joe Giaramita has been a quiet source of strength.

The names Nick Meinsen, Nick Terdick, Matt Fusaro, and James Dekrone most readily slide off tongues when wrestling fans describe the impact of the John Glenn dynasty. Since John Glenn exploded into dominance in 2009, capturing their first of two consecutive Section XI team titles, and now set their sights on the coveted hat-trick, Joe Giaramita has been a quiet source of strength.

The Suffolk County League III wrestling championships were held at Smithtown East Islip High School on February 5, 2011.

The Suffolk County League III wrestling championships were held at Smithtown East Islip High School on February 5, 2011. The Bulls from Smithtown East (6-0) who won each of their dual meets during the season in League III, did battle with the Redmen from East Islip (3-3), the Newfield Wolverines (4-2), Smithtown West Bulls (3-3) West Islip Lions (4-2), Half Hollow Hills East (1-5) and Centereach (0-6) for the league tournament title and for the opportunity to wrestle at the Suffolk County Championships scheduled to be held at Stony Brook University on February 13 and 14, 2011. Continue reading “Suffolk County League III Wrestling Championship Review”